Rotary connector.



E. MEYER. ROTARY CONNECYOR.

APPLlCATION FILED FEB-18.1914.

1,295,185. Patented Feb. 25,1919.

2 SHEET$-SHEET 1.

TRYgi/EEMXER UNITED STATES PATENT ()Fil i TRYGVE E. MEYER, OF I QRBARD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T6 AU'ZQYEATIC ELECTRIG COMPANY, OF EHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ROTARY CONNECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent Patented i ob. 25, 1.91.9.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. TuYovn E. MEYER, a citizen of the U nitcd States of America, and resident of Lombard, Dupage county, lllinois, have invented certain new and useful Im rovem'ents in Rotary Connectors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in rotary connectors and more particularly to connectors which can be employed for connecting either with single subscribers lines or for connecting'with a group of lines any one of which can be employed for extending connection to a called subscribers line.

The object of my invention is to simplify the construction of such rotary connectors.

By my invention, where there is a grou of lines extending to a single subscribers station. the connector is operated by a suitable series of impulses capable of moving said connector over this roup of lines into contact with the last lme of the group. Means are then rovided for stopping the connector on the fiist one of these lines which is idle and rendering the remaining impulses of the series ineffective for further operating the connector. In order to insure that a subscriber will properly operate the connector, the number corresponding to this last line of a group would be the only num ber appearing in the directory for the desired called subscriber. By my invention it is necessary to add but a single relay to each connector and to make a slight change in the line switches of certain of the called lines in order to provide for this trunk-selecting operation of the connector- In this manner I greatly simplify the construction of these rotary connector switches.

These and other objects of my invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated my invention in connection with automatic switches of wellknown types and in which a connection is shown between a calling and 8. called line, such connection being established by a line switch and a rotary connector embodying the features of my invention. It will, of

coursc. be understood that in larger exchanges the connection to the rotary connector can be extended from the calling line in any well-known manner, as through the usual selector switches, or a manual operaturs board could be interposed between the line switch and the connector. These forms of systems are well known and the :lis closure in the accompanying drawin merely for the purpose of more tuliy has trating the operation of the rotai y connector switch.

Figures 1 and show a cmnplute connec tion between a calling Slll')r=i=ttl0ll and a called substation in an automatic telephone tom embodying the principles of my nventlon.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic T'iBW of certain circuits.

The automatic substation A (Fig. 1) comprises the usual receiver 2 transmitter 3, ringer 1 and condenser 5. It is pro vided with a. suitable call-sending mechanism for controlling the automatic switches, which mechanism is represented diagram-- matieally by a pair of impulse l rings 5 and 7 and an impulse wheel 8, which latter may be controlled. by a dial (not shown) provided with finger holes in such a. way that the impulse: springs may be momentarily separated a number of tinues corresponding to the respecti e d gits of the number of the coiled subscriber.

The subscribens individual switch C (Fig. 1} is of the envral type of subscribers switch shown in British patent to R. 5V. James No. 26.301 of 1906, being, however, of the particular typ of switch disclosed in British patent to T G. Martin No. 141% of 1910. V

The master switch 1') (Fig i) is of the same general type as that disclosed in the above mentioned British Patent No. 25,301 of 1906, being, howcven oi the particular type disclosed in British Patent No. 1419 of 1910, also referred to shove The function of the master switch, as is well known, is to maintain the plungers of all the idle line switches in position to engage the oer niinals of an idle trunk line.

The connector switch H (Fig. l) is of the same general ty e that disclosed in United States Letters atent No. 815,176, ginntetl March 13, 1906, to Keith. Erickson and Erickson. the circuits. hnawter being llititjll lied to atifzgii Eire swilrii to ope; Rt:- ir; a system in which the contra! ollice apparatus is controlled l)\ impulses delix ered over the two Sim-t oi the line in series, and being further modified to enable the switch to op" crate in aerordanw with the pliluiples of my invention. Among: other details, the connector H comprises 2t hunk of contacts arranged in horizontal rows or levels, which contacts are adapted to be engaged by it set of wipers 24, and Bil curried upon a shaft (not shown) which has n vertical motion controlled by the vertical magnet 2i" and. u rotary movement controlled by the rotary mugnet 28. The operutionset various parts of the switch urecoutrollcd through the medium of the double-wound line relay 34, said relay being connected with the line through the reversing springs of it so-culled buck-bridge relay 3: through the windings of which latter relay the culled line is provided with talking current. The line relny 25lcontrols the circuit lior the slow noting relay 40, which in turn controls n virruit for u second slow acting lulu ll adapted to be connected in series with the operating mugnets 27 and 28. This relay ll controls the circuit.

of the )I'ivntc magnet 33, which magnet controls the usual side switch romprising the wiper-e 25", 3o, 31 and 32. The circuit of this private magnet 33 is lilirwise controlled by a relay the circuit of which ie closed at one point by the relay ll. the circuit of this relay '30 being completed in u manner hereinafter set forth over the privutc wiper 25. The release of the switch is contiolled by means ol' the release magnet 37, which is connected through the springs 38. The springs: 38 are adapted to be closed only when the switch shaft has been raised one.

or more steps from itu lowermost position. A second pair of Sillillnl ronturts ii!) is like-- wise provided, through which it locking circuit for :t relzrv Ti is completed. The ringer relay St is connected in series with an interrupter T3 for eenimrting the ringing generator R with the line for supplying ringing current to the sums in the wellknown manner. This ringer r luy 36 is cut off by means of the ringing cut-elf relay To. The circuit connections and the manner of operation of theee ;uriou relays and magnets will be more fully pointed out in the description of the operation of the connector.

The usual busy sig'nuliug machine Q is provided for the purpose of giving :2 busy sig nul to the calling suhsrriber when the called line is busy.

Associated with the culled line i- :2 line switch similar to the line ewitn'rh C which is associated with the calling lino, Vi the line, ln'nvever, constitutes our of a group of lines any one of "which cam be clnployml for establishing a connection with :1 called snbscribefls station, the cut-cit winding 72 of each of the line switches associated with this group of lines with the exception of: the switch associated with the lust line of the group. is provided with it resistance 87 which is connected in shunt of this cut-oil winding.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is represented contacts in the private bank of the connector H. it will be seen that each of the contacts is connected to the battery through it winding W, which is the custonmry cutofi or holding Winding and is similur to the winding 72 of the line switch C. ti'on, the contacts 28 and 29, the lines assoeluted with which are assumed to belong to the same subscriber as does the line associnted with the contact 20, are connected through in resistance X in multiple with their cut-oil or holding winding.

A general description of the apparatus having been given, it will now be explained how a commotion can be established between the line of u Hlbstatiion A and the line of u, culled substation A. It will first be assuiucd that the substation A belongs to a subscriber with :1 single line, the number of which is 22. Since the automatic switching apparatus disclosed herein is in general well known in the art, and is described in the patents herein referred to, its operations will be explained in u more or less gonernl manner.

\Vhcn the subscriber zit substation A remove the receiver 2 preliminary to nude ing a cull, un energizing circuit is closed through the line winding 13 of the line snitch C. This causes this line switch to op crate in the well-known manner to connect the wipers 16, l7, l8 and 1%) of the calling line to the trunk contacts 20". 21, 22 and 23 of a trunk extending to the connector ll. As this line switch does not form part of my present invention, and as any other suitable means can be mnployed for extending the connection to the connector H. and us the operation of the line switch is full described in the patents referred to, it is thought uuucrcseniw' to further describe the some. The engagement of the springs 16 and 19 with the springs 20 and .23. respectively, closes a circuit through the line reluv of the connector H. This circuit. extends from ground G through the lower winding of the relay 34, springs 51 and 52,.springs 23 and 19, conductor 44, substation A, coudurtor -15. springs 16 and 20, springs 53 and M and the upper winding of the relay 3% to battery B. The relay 34, upon energizing, closes a circuit from ground G3 through the springs 55 and 56 and the'relay 40 to battery B. The enorgization ofitheireluy 40 closes :1 circuit extending from ground G through the springs 57 end thesprings 21 and 17 to the point 58, from which point one branch extends over the conductor 59 to the con-- hector private bank contact associated with the culling line and multiples of the same. This guarding potential prevents any subscriber from connecting with the substation In udcli-' shnftcontrolled A when said substation is calling. Another branch extends from the point 58 through the holding winding 12 to battery B. This circuit, through the holding winding 12 is closed before the armature 48 falls back after the circuit through the line winding 13 is broken by the attraction of the armature 1-5. The annature 48 does not fall back immediately upon the pulling up of the armature 15,, due to the fact that simultaneous with the attraction of the armature 15 the plunger arm 9 is pulled up. which shortcircmts the auxiliary winding 14.- by closing thesprings 6%). This short-circuiting of the Winding 1% tends to retard the detnergization of the core, and thus the armature l8 is held in an operated osition until enough time has elapsed for tile circuit through the winding 12 to be closed, whereby the plunger arm 9 is held in an operated position.

The calling subscriber now epcrstes his calling device for the first digit 2 of the called number, whereby the substation impulse springs 6 and 7 are separated twice momentarily. each time breaking the circuit of the line relay 34 of the connector H. The relay 4 0 of the connector being" slow acting does not deia'nergize during the momentary interruptions of its circuit by the relay 3-1, and consequently. each time that the line relay 34 deiincrgizes, an impulse transmitted over the circuit extending from ground (i through the springs 55 and 61..springs 62 and 63, relay 41. vertical magnet 27 and the side switch lwiper 2" (in first position) to battery B. The vertical magnet rcceivcstwo impulses o er this circuit and operates to raise the switch shaft and wipers two steps to a. position opposite the second row or level of bank contacts, and at the same time the springs 38 and 39 are closed. The slow acting relay ll is maintained in its energized osition continuously while impulses are inc transmittal through it to the Vertical magnet. and in its energized position closes a circuit from ground i through. the springs 65 and 66, springs 67 and the private magnet 33 to battery B. This circuit is broken when the relay 41 dcenergizes after the last impulse has been delivered to the vertical ma let. The breaking of this circuit causes t e private magnet 33 to dei nergizc, thus permitting the side switch lo pass to second position. In passing from first to second position. the side snitch wiper 29* transfers the battery connection from the vertical magnet 27 to the roles: magnet 28.

The ceiling subscriber now operates his calling; devi e for the last digit 2, in response to which the connector line relay operates to transmit two impulses through the rotary mega-ct 28*. .whereay the shaft wipers are rotated onto the contacts of the desired line. The circuit of the rotary magnet extends points, the line connection from ground G through the springs 55 and 31 through the springs 62 end (53. relay 41, springs 68. rotary magnet 28 and the side switch wiper 29 (in second position) to battci y B. The relay 41 operates in response to the first impulse and remains energized during the transmission of the impulses in the sumo mamn-r as for the previous digit. During the rotary motion. each time the private wiper 25 passes over a nrargroundcd private bank contact, a circuit may be traced from ground G through the springs 65. 66 and 69. relay 70. private wiper 25 and the cut-oil or holdinq winding of the line switch associated with that contact to battery B. The resistsme of the relay 70 and the cutoff or holding .winding is such that neither will be opcrutivcly energized over this cir (-uit. Since the private wiper 25 is of a width sufficient to engage two private bank contacts while passing between them, it will be seen that at that time the relay 70 .wi ll be in series with two cut-off or holding windings in parallel. but the resistances of those cut-off windings are sufficiently high to prevent either the relay 70 or the cut-off wind-' inns being operatively energized over this circuit.

After the last impulse is transmitted. the relay 41 deenergizes, thus dei ncrgizing the private magnet and causing the side switch to trip to third position. By the engagement of the side switch wipers 30 and 3] with their third-position contact is completed with the called line. Upon the engagement of the side switch wiper 32 with its third-posh tion contact point. a circuit is completed through the cut-off winding of the line switch C the circuit extending from ground G through the side switch wiper 32 (in third position). private wiper 25. conductor '71 and the cut-off winding 72 to battery B. The cut-oil winding of the line switch upon energizing. disconnects the line relay from the called substation. The connection of ground G with the connector private bank contact associated with the called lino prevents the called line from being seized by some other connector switch. By the Pugagement of the side switch wiper 29" with its third-position contact point. the circuit of the ringer relay 36 is closed. This circuit. extends from ground G through the interrupter 73. ringer relay 36. springs 74 and the side switch Wiper 29" (in third position) to battery B. The ringer relay is energized intermittently. due to the inter rupter 73. and operates to disconnect the calling line from the called line and to bridge the ringing current generator R across the called line to signal the called subscriber. Upon the response of the called subscriber, his line is provided with talking current through the windings of the back V i ii Mina" wi l ww-a Hm iii m five U230 in tlw mm witwh. iz'mvzul HI M 1; 1,- i'lac substation wt of Tim 04111 .41 mlEm-ribmg are flu: singlv Han-a will usuuily he now mei'lml i'hm'eio lam-g: :1 suitable pi'iatn ranch ernxhangm hat I vhlim as my in ention i$Z-- 1. 111 ii tolephunu '"tvm, a subscrilmi-"s iimg :m lmpnlsv Ftlflifl for said line. a miary Connector. tingle lines and grmlps nf Tum any one of which an be emplu mll 'i'm extending a :onnvci iml to a cnllvd Sim inn iermimriing in said \gumwctor, 11mins; wsponsive tn impukm from mid snmlm' f sender to move said connector to the last one of any' 1hr) of said groups of lines, and means for in "Olllfltlclllly stopping said connector on the first one of the lines of said 1 mp which i:-.: idle.

In a teleime system, a rotary con 116M701, single lines and groups of lines any one r which can be employed for extending r: onncction to a called station terminatin;' in said conne tor. means for moving said connector into engagement with any one of said single lines, means for transmitting a series of inmulses to said connector of such character as to move said connector to the last one of a group of lines. a relay in said connector, means for energizing said relay when said connector comes n contact with a contact in said group which is idle, and means controllul hy the cnergi ration of said relay to stop said connector on said idle contact.

8. In a i' iephene system. a rotary connccton sir lines and groups of lines any one of wine can he employed for extending a connection to a. called station terminating said connector, means for moving said wonncctur into engagement with an} one of said single linen means for transmitting a series of impulses to said connector of such character as more said connector to the last one of a n 11p of lines. a magnet associated *ith earl: of said lines. a shunt circuit around the magnet of all except the last line in said group, and means controlled by a circuit through one of said shunt-s when the corresponding line is idle for automatically stopping the connector on that line.

4. In a 1: phone system. a rotary connector, sin lo lines and groups of lines any one at w cl can be employed for catending a Conner-Hon to a callcd station terminating in said nnector, means for moving said connect r into engagement with any one of said sir gin lin s means for transmitting a series of inlpulr to said connector of. such charmer as to move said connector to the last one of a group of lines, a magnet associated with each of said lines. a shunt circuit around man-neio't all except the la t line in l group. a r lay" in said connector ada ptol in be connected in series with one of said magnets when said connector connects with th" corresponding line. means for 9 id relay only when it is cunnm cu. u series, with once? said magnets promdad with a s? not, and means conmeans associated with the lines of said group a for causing said connector to etc on the first line of said groupwhieh is id e.

6. In a telephone s stem, a rotary connector, single lines an groups of lines any one of which can be em loyed for extending a connection to a. calle station terminating in said connector, means for moving said connector into engagement with any one of said sin in lines, means for transmitting a. series 0. impulses to said connector of such character as to move said connector to the last one of a group of lines, a line switch asosciated with each of said lines, a cut-01f magnet in each of said line switches, a shunt circuit around the cut-oil magnets of the line switches of said groups of lines except the last one in each group, and means controlled by a current throu h one of said shunts when the corrcspou ing line is idle for automatically stopping the connector on that line.

7. In a telephone system, a rotary connector, single lines and groups of lines any one of which can be employed for extending a connection to a called station terminating in said connector, means for moving said connector into engagement with any one of said single lines, means for transmitting ,a series of impulses to said connector of such character as to move said connector to the lastone of a group of lines, a magnet associated with each of said lines, a shunt circuit around the magnet of all except the last line in said group, a relay in said connector adapted to be connected in series with one of said magnets when said connector connects with the corresponding line, means for energizing said relay only when it is connected in series with one of said magnets provided with a shunt. an operating magnet for said connector, a side switch for controlling the circuit therefor, means controlled by the energization of said relay to trip said side switch to thereby break the circuit of said operating magnet to cause the connector to stop on said idle contact.

8. in a telephone system, a subscribers line, an impulse sender for said line, an alttotmatic progressively movable trunking switch for said line. a plurality of line termlnals accessible to said switch, a line for each one of said terminals, a busy test circuit associated with each terminal, means for applying a busy test potential to a busy circuit to one of said tern'iinals to make the correspo'mling line lousy, means for operating said switch in response to impulses from said sender to find said busy terminal, and means responsive to said potential for giving said first line a busy signal, means for applying a busy test potential to the busy test circuit of another one of said terminals to make a corresponding line busy, means for operating said switch to find said busy terminal in response to impulses from said sender. and means responsive to said potential for preventing said switch from stopping on said last terminal, and to maintain the switch responsive to the control of the line whereby the switch can he moved to the next terminal.

9. In a telephone system, a snbscribers line, an impulse sender for said line an automatic progressively movable trunlring switch for said line, a lnrality of line terminals accessible to said switch, a line for each one of said terminals, a busy test circuit associated with each terminal, means for applying a busy test potential to a busy circuit of one of said terminals to make the corresponding line busy, means for operating said switch responsive to said impulse,

sender to find said busy terminal, and means responsive to said potential for giving said first line a hnsy signal, means for applying a busy test potential to the busy test circuit of another one of said terminals to make a corresponding line busy, means for operating said switch responsive to said impulse sender to find said busy terminal. and means responsive to said potential For preventing said switch from stopping on said last terminal. and to maintain the switch responsivc to the control of the impulse sender whereby the switch can he moved to the next terminal.

l0. In a telephone system, a subscribers line. an impulse sender for said line, an automatic progressively movable trunking switch for said line a plurality of line terminals art. ssilllr to said switch a line for each one of said terminals. :1 bnsv test circuit asst) riated with each terminal. means for applying a busy test potential to a ousy circuit to one of said terminals to make the corresponding line busy. means for operating said switch responsive to said impulse sender over two sides of the line in series to find said busy terminal, and means responsive to said potential f rgiving said first line a busy signal, means for applying a busy test poten tial to the busy test circuit of another one of said terminals to make a corresponding line busy. means for operating said switch responsive to said impulse sender to find said busy terminal, and means responsive to said potential for preventing said switch from stopping on said last terminal. and to maintain the switch responsive to the control of the impulse sender whereby the switch can be moved to the next terminal.

ll. To a telephone system. a plurality of lines, a trunking switch For each line. each trunking switch provided with a controlling magnet, a rut-oft relay for each switch for rendering the controlling nmgnet thereof inoperative, a connector switch, terminals for said lines in said connector switch, a circuit for each cut-oft relay comprising the terminal of the corresponding line in said connector, and comprising a relay in the connector, means for operating said connector to close any one of said circuits to operate any one of said cut-off relays, each cut-oft relay designed to prevent said relay in the mnnector from energizing, a shunt around some oi said out-oil" relays for permitting said relay to energize when the connector closes the circuit of the shunted relay.

12. In a telephone system, a plurality of lines, a trnnkin switch for each line, each trunking svvite provided with a controlling magnet, a cutoii' rein for each switch for rendering the control Eng magnet thereof inoperative, a connector switch, ter minals for said iines in said connector switch, a circuit for each eat-off relay comprising the terminal of the corresponding line in said connector, and comprising a relay in the connector, means for operating said connector to close any one of said circuits to operate any one of said cut-o5 relays, each cut-oil relay designed to prevent said relay in the connector from energizing, a shunt around some of said eut-ofl' relays for permitting said relay to energize when the connect r closes the circuit of the shunted relay, a talking circuit extending to said connector comprising a conductor on one side and another on the other, said means for operating said connector comprising both sides of said talking circuit in series. 13. In a telephone system, an automatic connector switci, a suhscribers line accessible to said switch at; a certain sta e in the movement thereof, a second subscri ers line accessible to said switch at an earlier stage in the movement thereof, means for trans- Initting directive controlling impulses to said switch in accordance with the number of said first line, automatic means in said switch for causing the some to stop before reaching said first line to estabiish connection with said second line if the said second line is idle, and means in said switch for si aling the subscriber on a connected line.

14. In a telephone system, an automatic connector switch, a subscrihers line accessible to said switch at a certain stage in the movement thereof, a. second subscriber-s lino accessible to said switch at an earlier stage in the movement thereof, means for, trans niitting directive controlling impulses to said switch in accordance with the number of said first line. a test relay in said switch for causing the some to stop before reaching said first line to establish connection with said second line if the said second line is idle, and means in said switch for signaling the subscribe! on a connected line.

15. In a telephone system, a final con line and automatic means in said'switch for causing the same to stog before reachin said first hne to establis connection wit said second line if the said second line is id e.

- lines provided with terminals 1n said switch and extending to a distant point, a telephone number common to said lines and in accordance with the location of ltlieterminal associated with the last line of said'group, means for operating said switch in accordance with the final di its of said number when a connection to said distant point is desired,

16. In a telephone system, an automatic. connector switch at the exchange, a group ofand automatic means in said connector for stopping the same to establish connection with the first trunk line of'the group which is idle.

17. In a telephone system, an automatic "connector switch at the exchange, a group of lines provided with terminals in said "switch and extending to a distant point, a

telephonenumber common to said lines and in accordance with the location of the terminal associated with the last line of said group means for operating said switch in accordance with the last digits of said number when a connection to said distant point is desired, and a test relay in said connector for stopping the same to establish connection with the first trunk line of the group which is idle.

Signed by me at Chicago, Illinois, this tenth day of February, 1914.

- TRYGVE E. MEYER. 'Witneeses:

Gmnnnr Somme, G. W. Beam. 

